How To Prevent Disastrous Water Damage In Your Austin Texas Home Or Business

Water Damage Service Repair Austin

Nobody wants to think it’ll be our Austin, Texas home affected by severe Austin water damage, but it's more likely to happen then you may think, and you’ll want to be prepared. Severe water damage can also cause mold growth, which may be harmful to those in your home. With expertise from Austin restoration professionals here at The Steam Team of Austin, Texas , we’re going to talk to you about preventing water damage and mold growth in your Austin, TX home or business.

Best Practices For Preventing Water Damage in Austin, Texas

If you follow these steps, you may be able to prevent having to deal with water damage in the first place.

• Clean roof gutters every few months. If your roof gutters are clogged with leaves, sticks, or anything at all, the water may build up, leak in through your roof, and cause some serious damage.

• Purchase a drain snake. You might be using powerful chemicals to unclog drains in your kitchen or bathroom, but these chemicals may actually do damage to your pipes and cause them to leak. A drain snake is an inexpensive, safer alternative.

• Pay attention to your water bill. Of course, you should be paying close attention to your bills anyway! But if you notice any particularly high water bills coming in, it’s likely you have a leak and need to get an inspection as soon as possible.

How To Stop Mold Growth in Austin

For mold to grow, all it needs is a little bit of water and a dark space. If the water damage is already done, you can still prevent mold growth by;

• Removing water as quickly as possible with a wet/dry vacuum.

• Use high-powered fans to dry the carpet.

• Use a dehumidifying machine to dry out the air in the room or rooms.

• Sanitize all carpet flooring using a steam-cleaner.

• Sanitize all walls and hard surface floors with soap and water.

Professional Austin Water Damage Restoration

If you’re already too late and water damage or mold has already taken hold in your home, call The Steam Team of Austin and we’ll send our best water damage and mold remediation professionals your way! We are the leader in Austin, Texas for cleaning and restoration. We are having our 40th Birhtday this month. We started right here in 1983!

What's Better: Mopping or Steam Cleaning?

Cleaning in Austin, Texas

People have been mopping their floors clean for centuries, and it's a very simple and mostly effective way to clean your floors. But in more recent years, more and more people are using steam cleaners. If you’re still on the fence, let’s discuss what makes steam cleaning different, and then you can decide for yourself whether you want to stick with the mop.

More Possibilities

One of the things that makes steam cleaning more popular than mopping is that it doesn’t require any chemicals. Whereas mopping usually involves mixing some kind of chemical cleaner with the water, steam cleaning is just water and heat, but achieves an even better clean! This also means that steam cleaners can be used on a wide variety of surfaces, even things like upholstery and curtains. They’re also great for getting rid of fat and grease, cleaning tiled floors and walls, and even cleaning the inside of your car!

Better Against Mold

One of the most significant benefits of using a steam cleaner over a mop is how effective they are against mold. Many people use bleach to get rid of mold, but in fact, bleach only turns the mold white so that it blends in with the surface. The high temperature of steam cleaning kills the mold while the bristles help remove it from those hard to reach places.

Safe For The Home

Because only water and heat are used in steam cleaning, your home or place of business will remain free from the chemical residue or pollution that some cleaners may leave behind. This will make the environment much safer for you and those around you.

Allergies

Steam cleaning significantly benefits people with allergies and asthma, since it uses all natural steam to remove dirt and grime from all surfaces. Therefore, it won’t aggravate any allergies or cause respiratory issues.

Professional Steam Cleaning

It should be clear by now that steam cleaning has mops and other chemical cleaning methods beat. However, steam cleaners are expensive, and you may not want to go through the work of buying one and doing the cleaning yourself. But don’t worry, that’s why The Steam Team is here. Our professional technicians will use top-of-the-line steam cleaners and other methods to rejuvenate your home. For more information on the services we offer, visit The Steam Team website.

Check Out Our Cleaning Service Specials!

Carpet Cleaners Austin, Texas - Voted Best of Austin by The Austin American Statesman

Here at The Steam Team, we want to provide all of our customers with the very best cleaning services from the very best technicians using only the latest and most effective equipment on the market! But we also want to offer great deals to our customers so that you feel great about both the appearance of your newly cleaned home and about the money you spent! Because of our dedication to providing you a great clean for a great price, we want to show you our Special Service Packages.

The Elite

This plan has everything you could want out of a carpet cleaning package. Our technicians will give your carpet a professional deep clean with high-powered steam cleaners, pre-spotting and pre-vacuuming if required, a pet enzyme treatment on the carpet to keep pet odors from seeping in and then a powerful carpet protector on top of that to keep the carpet safe from spills and other odors. Even after all that, our elite package isn’t over! 

We’ll also groom the carpet to make sure it looks exactly the way you want it before our technicians leave, and we’ll throw in an additional 5 day warranty! The Elite package, as well as all the other specials we’re about to mention, also include moving any furniture out of the way if needed, and putting it back in place when the job is finished. With all of this, you might expect The Elite package to cost you hundreds, but it's only $93 per room!

The Pet

This package includes a professional deep cleaning with high-powered steam cleaners, pre-spotting and pre-vacuuming if required, a pet enzyme treatment and carpet grooming! The Pet package starts at $69 per room.

The Protect

This package includes a professional deep steam cleaning, pre-spotting and pre-vacuuming if required, a carpet protector and carpet grooming to top it off! This package also starts at $69 per room.

The Original

This package is the cheapest and most simple plan, and it includes the same steps as the Pet and Protect, just without the pet enzyme or the carpet protector. This package starts at an easy $45 per room.

So what are you waiting for? With deals like these available, there’s no need to neglect your carpet anymore! Give us a call or visit The Steam Team website for more information.

How to Handle Fire Damage Restoration

If you’ve ever dealt with fire damage before, you know the massive burden is creates for homeowners. The best way to tackle damage restoration when it comes to fire is to have a detailed plan. If you use a professional restoration company, they’ll help you with this. From documenting each and every thing for insurance purposes to getting your home livable again, The Steam Team has you covered.

Restoration Experts

After fire damage occurs, you’ll want it cleaned up as quickly as possible to find out what can be salvaged- but you also want the cleaning to be efficient. Well, with The Steam Team fire damage restoration experts you can have both. Our technicians will start with an inspection to determine the best course of action for the property, then they’ll tarp up, board up and otherwise seal off the damaged property and begin thoroughly cleaning with professional equipment.

Why Not Clean It Yourself?

You may be thinking that you can clean and restore the property yourself and save money on the process. But in fact, you’d be spending more on the necessary equipment for the job than it would cost to have it done by professionals. You’d have to buy tarps, proper safety attire, water pumps, a press extractor and several cleaning agents. Cleaning and restoring any fire damaged property without this gear could be extremely dangerous, due to smoke from chemicals in the home that may still be in the air. Some of the structure of the building may still be unstable, making the process even more dangerous. The only way to ensure safety when restoring a fire damaged home is by hiring professionals.

The Steam Team

When our technicians have finished the job of cleaning and restoring your home or business, they’ll offer a full consultation on how to prevent future fire disasters in your home. For more information on fire damage restoration, as well as our many other services, visit The Steam Team website.

Caring for Marble Surfaces: A Guide from The Experts

Marble flooring sparkles and shines throughout a home, creating a unique appeal other floorings can’t. For centuries it’s been used in flooring, countertops, and other surfaces around the home- but if you’ve installed marble, you probably know that it takes work to maintain that perfect sleek look. Unfortunately, the material of marble is far more sensitive than other flooring options, so taking care to ensure you’re treating it properly is imperative. Today, we’ve put together some tips and tricks to keep your marble looking brand new and better than ever.

All About Marble Polishing

After a few years of owning a marble floor, you may start to notice that it doesn’t look quite the same as it did when you first got it. Maybe it has dull or dirty patches, or is generally less shiny than it once was. These are all signs that the marble needs to be polished, and that the protective seal may have been worn down, making the marble more sensitive to spills or other damage. To keep this from happening, a good rule of thumb is to have your marble floors polished every one to three years. The most well maintained floors may only need to be polished every five years.

Hiring The Steam Team

It’s important to remember that marble is a sensitive material, and can’t handle most common household cleaners, or anything acidic. For this reason, we suggest leaving the marble polishing up to professionals like The Steam Team technicians to prevent your floor from being damaged. Our technicians will only use products that are specifically designed for marble polishing. In fact, we happen to have our own full line of products designed for marble floor tile. Our professional technicians will use the best products and methods to restore your marble floor to its original shine.

For more information on marble floor cleaning and the many other services we offer, visit The Steam Team website.

Stained Upholstery is No Problem for The Steam Team

It’s no secret that accidents happen frequently, and can rarely be avoided. The same is true for our upholstery; sometimes we spill things, or the dog jumps onto our furniture with wet and muddy paws! Luckily, The Steam Team is here to remedy the situation! Our team of trained professionals will happily come out to your home and work at removing stains from your upholstery. Here’s how: 

Getting Started

First of all, The Steam Team recognizes that certain types of upholstery have needs that vary from other types. Fortunately for everyone involved, our team of trained experts can easily recommend the appropriate cleaning method for your upholstered furniture. You can sit back and relax while we begin the process of removing those pesky stains! 

The Steam Team Method

Steam cleaning uses nothing but hot water high water pressure to effortlessly and effectively lift stains from upholstery (but also carpet, grout, natural stone, you name it!). We’ve perfected our methods by now, and can’t wait for you to see our results! 

Along with making sure your upholstery is spotless and stainless, The Steam Team can also apply a fabric protectant. Over the years, your furniture has seen some action (especially if you have children or pets, who like to jump on furniture). Stains, spills, and ultraviolet radiation all cause your furniture to eventually appear lackluster. Why not protect your upholstered furniture by applying a fabric protectant? It’s a great investment! 

Cleaning upholstery is just one of our many talents. We have over a decade of experience cleaning and caring for all types of flooring, from carpet to hardwood to natural stone. We also help the cleanup process after disasters strike, like floods or fires! No matter what you need, you can rely on The Steam Team. Just give us a call today! You won’t regret it.

Tips for Freshening Your Mattress

It’s that time of year again. Time to make sure everything is clean and in good working order. And that includes your mattress! Now that summer’s here and we may be sweating a bit more in our sleep, it’s a great time to freshen that mattress! Keep reading to figure out just how to do it, and don’t be afraid to call in the professionals if you find yourself in a pickle! 

Launder Your Linens

You may have already guessed it, but the first step to cleaning and sanitizing your mattress is to launder your linens! Strip the bed entirely of its sheets, comforter, blankets, and mattress cover. Pay close attention to care labels so that you don’t ruin your linens, but wash and dry them on the hottest setting allowed to ensure proper sanitization. The heat will for sure kill those dust mites! 

Vacuum the Mattress

Next, you’ll want to vacuum your mattress thoroughly. You can use your handy upholstery attachment for this part; it works great! Start at the top of your mattress and work your way to the bottom, overlapping as much as possible to be as thorough as possible. Don’t forget to vacuum the sides, as well. You don’t want to miss a spot! 

Deodorize

Finally, it’s time to deodorize your mattress and rid it of those stinky bodily aromas. For this part, all you’ll need is baking soda and your favorite essential oil (okay, the essential oil is optional). It merely helps to freshen your mattress; they smell delightful! Sprinkle the baking soda and essential oil over the surface of your mattress, and allow it to sit for ten extra minutes. 

Not sure which essential oil to use? Lavender promotes sleep, while eucalyptus promotes muscle relaxation and lemon promotes freshness! 

We hope these tips have helped you successfully clean and freshen your mattress! Remember, we spend a large portion of our lifetimes asleep on our mattresses, so they should be kept as clean as possible!

A Quick Guide to Restoring Water Damage

There’s no telling when water damage is going to occur. Between the unpredictability of natural disasters and the range of appliances throughout the home that use water; it’s always important to know how to handle water damage no matter where you live.

Preventing Water Damage

Water damage can cause a variety of issues to a home; damaging flooring, belongings, and creating a perfect environment for dreaded mold spores to grow. So let’s prevent all of that hassle, and talk about what needs to be done when you first discover flood and/or water damage in your home or office.

Regular Maintenance

Quick regular maintenance around your home will help to prevent water damage that would be caused by leakage from an appliance, a busted pipe, or an appliance completely breaking down. Keep up with your appliances, fixing any issues promptly that may arise- and don’t forget to care for your pipes properly during the colder months to avoid any freezing and/or bursting.

When Water Damage Occurs

First things first: contact your insurance company to figure out exactly what they cover. Remember to be straightforward about the incident so that there isn’t any confusion down the line. Then, call us! The Steam Team will immediately come out and help you through the cleanup and water extraction process.

Take Safety Precautions

To protect yourself against mold spores, be sure to purchase masks from your local pharmacy or department store. Wear them if you’re around the water damage for prolonged periods of time.

Cleanup and Water Extraction

Extracting the water alone is time consuming and a very careful process. If too much water is pumped out too quickly, you risk causing your walls to collapse from the pressure. To keep this from happening, we extract only two to three feet of water at a time.

If you’re unfortunately dealing with water damage, don’t hesitate to give The Steam Team a call at any hour of the day, any day of the week. We’re always here to help!

The Steam Team Rug Cleaning Austin Texas

Austin Texas Rug Cleaner

We’ve all done it at sometime: spilled our coffee, dropped our wine glass, or felt that pen explode and ink flow all over new top. It’s inevitable; accidents happen! But the evidence of said accidents doesn’t have to be permanent. We can remove the coffee, tea, and other dark stains from our flooring and furniture with these easy tips!

Coffee

For both carpet and upholstery, start by blotting the excess coffee with a clean, dry cloth. Next, pre-soak the stain in a solution of one quart warm water, ½ tsp of dishwashing detergent, and 1 tbsp of white vinegar. Let it soak for 15 minutes. Finally, rinse the stained area with warm water, and dry thoroughly!

Tea

For tea stains on carpet, mix a solution that contains two ounces of white vinegar and four ounces of warm water. Spray the mixture onto the stain, and blot clean. It’s important not to scrub the area, as you may end up spread the stain!

Ink

For those broken pens and nasty ink stains, blot rubbing alcohol or hairspray onto the stain. Blot until clean, changing the cloth periodically. Be patient- it may take some time. Once the area is clean, dab a clean cloth onto the area that’s been soaked in lukewarm water.

Wine

For wine stains, try concocting a solution of one tbsp white vinegar and one tbsp of dishwashing liquid. Blot the stain clean, repeating the process as needed. You can use either a clean washcloth, or clean paper towels; either one works!

For further assistance, contact The Steam Team! We have several years of experience cleaning carpet and other types of flooring, as well as furniture and different types of upholstery! If you need a professional steam cleaner and you need them now, you need us.

3 Ways to Minimize Dirt and Grime on your Area Rugs & Workplace

Carpet & Rug Cleaning 

In a way, your office is your home away from home. You probably want it to be as clean as your home is- or cleaner. A clean work environment declutters the mind and allows for more productivity! If you have the need for area rug cleaning give us a call today. Our rug cleaning plant is located at 9901 Burnet Rd. Austin, Texas. So let’s go over 3 ways to minimize dirt and grime in your workplace: 

Don’t Eat at Your Desk

There’s nothing more unprofessional than leftover food dirtying up your office, so just don’t do it! Utilize the break room and take a break away from your work. You’ll keep crumbs and bits of food off of your desk, as well as your chair and floor. Your clients will thank you. Your office will thank you. You will thank you.

(Eating lunch and snacks at your desk will also attract ants and other unwanted creatures. You certainly don’t want to be the reason for an infestation!)

Vacuum and Dust Frequently

If you don’t have a cleaning crew to do this for you (we’re sorry), then make sure you establish a decent cleaning routine. Vacuum and dust frequently to keep the grime from building up! Make sure you remove items from your shelf while you dust, like photos, paperweights, and your work. Be thorough, and don’t forget to use the upholstery attachment for your furniture, and the corners of your office.

Rely on the Professionals

Maybe you’re too busy for the upkeep of your office- that’s perfectly understandable! In fact, The Steam Team loves to hear that you’re in need of a good, thorough, deep cleaning. We offer high rise cleaning services just as we offer carpet cleaning services for your home. So give us a call today and we’ll have your office looking spick and span in a flash! Everyone will wonder just how it got to be so clean in there! For carpet cleaning call The Steam Team today. 

The 3 Easiest Ways to Clean Upholstered Furniture

Rug Cleaning Austin

Life is busy and unpredictable, and keeping your upholstered furniture spotless is probably not at the top of your priority list. Before you donate your cat’s favorite armchair or discover a wayward chip in the sofa cushions, consider these tips that make cleaning your upholstered furniture easy enough to fit in before your next Netflix marathon.

1. Vacuuming

Using the upholstery attachment, vacuum on low power. If the material has texture, such as corduroy or velvet, use left to right strokes to make sure you’re getting any dirt and dust caught in the material. Next, use the crevice attachment to vacuum under cushions and along seams. You might want to check first for any larger items, such as coins, before vacuuming. Use a can of compressed air for harder-to-reach nooks, such as button tufting. Be sure to vacuum at least once a week to best maintain the fabric. A good vacuuming might also help fade old stains!

2. Spot Cleaning

In the event of a stain, first check the furniture item’s cleaning tag. You can find this under the cushions or on the manufacturer’s website. W means it can be cleaned with water-based products, so it’s a good option for DIY. An S means use only water-free products, like a dry-cleaning solvent, but be careful, as the chemicals used in these products might be hazardous. WS or SW means that W or S may work, but run the risk of damaging the fabric (in this case, spot test in an inconspicuous area before using the product). An X means professional cleaning only. Be sure to check your warranty: a professional cleaning might be required, or you run the risk of invalidating the warranty.  

If you can use water, mix it with some dishwashing soap in a bowl until frothy. With a clean, damp cloth, blot—don’t scrub—the stain. Avoid soaking it, as too much water could damage the material. In the case of leather or vinyl upholstery, wipe with Pledge (avoid products with silicone, which may cause cracking). For grease stains, try sprinkling a bit of cornstarch or baking soda on the stain and let it sit for half an hour to absorb the oil, then vacuum and spot clean.   

3. Professional Steam Cleaning

This is your go-to option for antique furniture or stubborn stains, or if it’s required by the manufacturer’s warranty. Even if you’re able to DIY for most of the year, consider paying for a professional cleaning for periodic maintenance, to make sure your upholstered furniture is looking its best — and to give yourself a much deserved break!

The Steam Team is a professional cleaning and restoration service, with years of experience handling water and fire damage, disaster cleanup, mold, household odors, and much more. We have the expertise and professional-grade equipment to finish any job, the right way. Don’t wait—give The Steam Team a call today!

How to Get Rid of Dirty Carpets

Water Damage Georgetown, Texas

Ah, carpet flooring… it’s comfortable, cozy, and cushiony. It can be made in a multitude of different colors, textures, and designs. We can match it perfectly with our furniture. Carpet adds warmth to a bedroom or living room, and provides a cushioned landing for small children at play. But proper cleaning and maintenance keeps a homeowner quite busy! Carpet can potentially stain very easily, and requires regular attention.

Routine Cleaning & Stain Prevention

Dust, dirt, and pet hair build up at a surprisingly rapid rate. This makes frequent vacuuming imperative to maintaining carpet flooring, and even lengthening its lifespan. Hopefully your vacuum cleaner has extra attachments for reaching areas like corners, baseboards, or even between couch cushions!

When it comes to areas of your home with higher traffic, you may consider asking your house members and guests to remove their shoes near the front door. The soles of our shoes can track in anything from sand, to mud, grass, or small pebbles… All of which are things we could find in our carpet at a later date!

There is much debate surrounding the “best,” method of removing stains in carpet. When using a cleaning solution, be sure that the product you’ve chosen is designed to be used on carpet, and check to find out whether or not it should be diluted.

Is it Time to Deep Clean Your Carpet Cleaning Round Rock, TX?

Over time, our carpet takes enough beating to warrant an occasional deep cleaning, and this is best done by a professional steam cleaning company! Steam cleaning uses intense water pressure and high temperatures to eradicate dirt, debris, and stains from just about any type of flooring. Water Damage Round Rock, TX

Companies such as The Steam Team will definitely have the perfect tools for this project:  professional grade equipment, solid expertise, and dependable customer service. Don’t hesitate to give The Steam Team a call today for efficient stain removal and carpet cleaning!

Commercial Cleaning: Keeping Your Restrooms Clean

Commercial Cleaning The Steam Team

Restrooms can sometimes be a harsh reality. In order to continuously keep commercial restrooms clean and sanitary, it’s likely that you’ll have to implement systems or bring in outside help.

Bringing in Outside Help

Deep Cleaning

One of the most common complaints with cleaning high-traffic restrooms is keeping the tile and grout clean. In some cases, this could on the floor, backsplash, or even countertops. Grout can be especially difficult to clean around moisture, but steam cleaning will undoubtedly do the trick.

Targeting Trouble Areas

Of course the tile and grout aren’t the only areas that need attention around the bathroom - especially with how damage-prone the environment already is (from the constant waterflow). Cleaning around the bathroom becomes much more efficient when you target the sinks, floors, counters, toilets, trash cans, etc.

Additionally, if you take preventive measures to keep these target areas from collecting grime, you’ll find that a deep clean can turn a sort-of clean restroom into a room that looks brand-spanking-new!

Cover Every Surface

Last, but certainly not least, don’t leave any surface behind! When you make sure to touch every surface before leaving the restroom, you’re guaranteed a spotless environment.

Now, remember when we talked about bringing in outside help? That’s really the secret to ensuring that your commercial restrooms are continuously spotless. It’s not as daunting as you may think - in fact, it’ll take a huge stress off of your shoulders!

Are you looking for a commercial cleaning company? We’d love to take a look at your office! Give us a call, here at The Steam Team, today.

3 Fun Facts About Steam Cleaning

The Steam Team Austin, Texas Official Sun Glasses

Who said cleaning can’t be fun? Steam cleaning may not seem like it could be exciting to you, but when you see the effects it has on various surfaces and environments everyday - it’s certainly intriguing.

Check out these awesome facts about steam cleaning!

1. Steam cleaning can help improve air quality around the home.

Ridding flooring (and other surfaces) of common allergens, dust particles, and grime build up keeps these things from circulating around the home. With all of these particles, the air quality around your home will start to improve.

Don’t forget to clean your air ducts and you’re sure to breathe clean air!

1. The steam cleaner was first invented over 150 years ago.

Since then, it’s come a long way! The technology integrated with steam cleaners now is entirely different. Machines are able to be used on various surfaces, materials, and fabrics for a variety of reasons, too. Not only can flooring be steam cleaned, but furniture, window treatments, appliances, air ducts - you name it!

What we know now versus what we knew when steam cleaning was initially invented is monumental.

1. Carpet should be professionally steam cleaned every 12-18 months.

Regularly cleaning carpets with a steam cleaner helps to eliminate any grime build-up but also keeps allergens and pollutants at a minimum around the home. Remember; steam cleaning is a much more thorough and deep clean versus regular vacuuming. Scheduling a professional to come into your home every 12-18 months has shown to be the most effective and efficient way to protect, clean, and maintain carpet flooring.

If you need a professional to take a look at your carpets, give us a call at The Steam Team today!